Battle opening day workout no-show

SANTA CLARA -- Wide receiver Arnaz Battle was a surprise no-show Monday for the first day of the 49ers' organized team activities, casting doubts over his future with the team.

"I expected him to be here today, but since I haven't spoken to him, I don't know where he is," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said.

Battle, the 49ers' most reliable wideout the past two seasons, is currently listed as the 49ers' No. 2 flanker behind veteran Isaac Bruce. The 49ers signed Bruce and Bryant Johnson as free agents in the offseason to upgrade the club's receiving corps.

Battle has not taken part in the team's voluntary offseason conditioning program. Battle was believed to be continuing his offseason conditioning this week in Dallas, his offseason home.

"When he came back for the minicamp (in May), he was in real good shape," Nolan said of the 49ers' only mandatory offseason gathering.

Battle's absence comes at a time when the 49ers' offensive players are straining to learn coordinator Mike Martz's complex new scheme.

Quarterback Alex Smith is not certain how much of the 49ers' new offense has already been installed this offseason.

"I'd like to say a lot," Smith said.

While Martz has already given the 49ers' offensive players a lot to absorb, Smith said he does not expect the learning to ever stop. In speaking with St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger earlier this offseason, Smith said he expects the playbook to continue to grow as adjustments are made through the course of the season. Bulger played under Martz with the Rams.

"Every style of offense you can imagine, we have a piece of that in there, it seems like," Smith said. "We're trying to incorporate as many different things as possible and give defenses as many different looks as possible. We're pushing that envelop."

Battle's decision to work out individually is perplexing to some in the 49ers' organization because of the transition to a new offense. Battle is scheduled to make $1.34 million in base salary, but he does not earn any additional money for participating in the club's offseason program.

Battle, 28, a five-year veteran, has 109 catches for 1,286 yards and eight touchdowns in the past two seasons. He is signed through the 2009 season.

RACHAL AT TACKLE

Rookie Chilo Rachal, the 49ers' second-round draft pick, is being moved to right tackle after spending the first minicamp at guard. Rachal, a highly recruited high school tackle, was moved to guard during his redshirt freshman season at USC.

"After the first four plays, it came back to me," Rachal said of Monday's practice.

Rachal said he would happily play wherever the 49ers want. Currently, he is projected to back up right tackle Jonas Jennings.

The 49ers do not have much depth at the tackle positions behind presumptive starters Joe Staley and Jennings. The 49ers signed free agent Alan Reuber on Monday. Reuber has spent time the past three seasons on practice squads of Arizona, Cincinnati and Tampa Bay.

EXTRA POINTS

Nolan said he was alerted that both Jennings and quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan were going to be absent from the first day of practice. Both players are expected later in the week.

Guard Larry Allen has yet to inform the 49ers if he plans to play a 15th NFL season. Nolan said he has not spoken with Allen. But Nolan places the odds of Allen playing again at less than 50 percent.

The 49ers currently have no interest in trading for Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, Nolan said. Taylor is reportedly on the trade block.

Justin Smith, the 49ers' big free-agent acquisition, saw a lot of time in practice at outside linebacker. Nolan said Smith will be a featured part of the 49ers' defense, thus he will not always be required to do the "dirty work" that comes with playing defensive line in a 3-4 scheme.

You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com